§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will pay an official visit to the Research Station at Littlehampton to study the progress being made in the development of low-cost 652W hydroponic techniques for cultivation which could be applicable to conditions in under-developed countries.
§ Mr. PrenticeI have no plans to visit this institute at present. But I would assure my right hon. Friend that my Department is fully aware of the hydroponic techniques being developed at the Glasshouse Crops Research Station at Littlehampton and is thus in a position to recommend these to developing countries in situations where it may be pos sible to apply them.
§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister for Overseas Development if he will set up an inquiry into the application of low-cost hydroponic cultivation to the problems of arid and under-developed countries.
§ Mr. PrenticeNo. I believe that sufficient information about the application of these techniques is already available.
§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister for Overseas Development what expenditure he anticipates from the aid programme in the forthcoming year on the development of hydroponic cultivation in arid under-developed countries.
§ Mr. PrenticeNone at present, but if the Government of a developing country asks for assistance in this field the request will be considered.